Shirley MacLaine won a Golden Globe for Best Actress (Drama) for this performance, but failed to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (for the same film). Prior to 2008, this was the only time a Best Actress Golden Globe-winner (Drama) was not also nominated for an Oscar for the same performance.
Vanessa Redgrave was originally signed for "Madame Sousatzka" but left before production began. John Schlessinger then turned to Jeanne Moreau before opting for Shirley Maclaine.
It was while promoting this movie that Shirley Maclaine appeared on David Letterman; got into a huge fight with him; and called him an "A--hole."